Miguel flushed, and went and sat down on a sofa in the anteroom, where there were six or seven other persons waiting.
In a short time a gentleman in an overcoat came in very pompously; the door-keeper made a reverent bow before him, and opened the screen of the presidential chamber. It was evident that the order "to let absolutely no one in" was the door-keeper's manufacture.
Miguel jumped up angrily, and said, opening his card-case:—
"Have the goodness to take this card to the President."
"I cannot, caballero; I have orders...."
"I insist upon it that you carry this card to the President," he repeated in a louder voice, and with an energetic accent that had some effect upon the usher, who finally took it, though still grumbling, and entered the room.
"You will please wait an instant, caballero," said the man, coming out.
He waited an hour and a half; but he stayed, bent upon speaking with the chief of government, and neither the usher's insulting glances nor his own impatience, which was great, sufficed to make him give up his design.
At last the screen was opened, and out came a group of deputies, and among them the President with his hat on, and every appearance of being about to leave the building.
"Ah! Señor Rivera," he said, as he caught sight of him. "Excuse me ... I have so many things on my mind ... would you like to go back with me to the office."